Stamp vending machine

ABSTRACT

A stamp vending machine is disclosed having a curved track along which a stamp web is moved toward the outlet of the machine through which the stamps are dispensed from the machine. A spring holds the stamp web in compression as the web is being moved along the track, after which the spring is moved out of engagement with the stamp web. A holding member moves into engagement with the stamp web when the machine is deactuated to hold the web against further movement toward the outlet. This holding member is released when the machine is actuated.

United States Patent lnventor John L. Surber, Jr.

166 Greenhaven, San Antonio, Tex. 78201 Appl. No. 768,653

Filed Oct. 18, 1968 Patented Jan. 19, 1971 STAMP VENDING MACHINE 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 226/128, 226/ l 34 Int. Cl B65h 17/26 Field of Search 226/ 128,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,138,312 6/1964 Newman 226/128 Primary ExaminerAllen N. Knowles Attorney Hyer, Eickenroht, Thompson & Turner ABSTRACT: A stamp vending machine is disclosed having a curved track along which a stamp web is moved toward the outlet of the machine through which the stamps are dispensed from the machine. A spring holds the stamp web in compression as the web is being moved along the track, after which the spring is moved out of engagement with the stamp web. A holding member moves into engagement with the stamp web when the machine is deactuated to hold the web against further movement toward the outlet. This holding member is released when the machine is actuated.

PATENTEDJANIQIQYI 3556 375 SHEEI 1 OF 2 John L. Surber, Jr

INVENTO 4M A T TORNE YS PATENIEDJANISIBYI 3556375 same or 2 K I FIG. 3

Johh L1 urber, Jr

. INVENTOR.

BY, W I

' ATTORNEYS STAMP VENDING MACHINE This invention relates to stamp vending machines generally,

and in particular to a stamp vending machinethat dispenses they are purchased, it is possible for vandals and petty thieves to pry open the. knives that are usually located adjacent "the opening throughwhich the stamps are vended, grab the end of the stamp web adjacent the knives, and steal stamps from the machine.

In stampzvending machines of the type described in US.

Pat. No. 3,3l0,2l l, which issuedMar. 2l, I967, and is entitled "Stamp Vending Machine," the stampweb passes from the stamp roll to the outlet of the machine along the arcuate surface of a track. To help hold the stamp web in contact with the track, a spring is located adjacent the outlet of the track to exert a resilient force on the stamp web. This places the stamp web in compression between the point of application of this resilient force and the means employed to move the stamp web along the track, which holds the stamp web securely against the track. This improves the overall performance of the stamp vending machine.

In this type of stamp vending machine, the spring clip makes it much more difficult for vandals and petty thieves to remove stamps from the machine without paying for them. When this type stamp vending machine is placed in outside locations,

FIG. I is a-side view of the preferred embodiment of the stamp vending machine of this invention when the machine is deactuated;

FlG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the stamp vending machine of FIG. l showing the machine when it is actuated and vending stamps;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view, partially in section andpar- I tially in elevation, of the resilient force-applying and webholding apparatus of this invention when the machine-is'deacr tuated; and I FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3showing the position of such apparatus when the machine is actuated.

In the drawings, theinvention is shown installed in a stamp vending-machine of the type described in the above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,3 l0,2l I. For a complete detailed description of the machine, see this patent. t

' The machine includes vertical mounting plate 10 to which the various components of the mechanism are attached. Normany, the plate and the mechanism are enclosed in a suitable rolled-up stamp web [3. The stamp web comprises an elon- I gated strip of stamps having a lateral row of perforations particularly'where the weather is warm and humid,the force exerted by the spring on the stamp web will cause the stamp web to tend to stickito the track, since the gummed side of the It is an object of this invention to provide a stamp vending machine wherein aresilient force is applied to the stamp web along the track. Fingers 26 are mounted for independent pivotal movement in side-by-side relationship on shaft 30, which is supported by bracket 3l. The bracket, in turn, is at- 1 tached to finger arm '32. The bracket extends laterally over adjacent the outlet of the track on which the stamp web moves to hold it in compression only while the machine is operating, the force being removed from the stamp web when the machine is not operating.

It is another object of this invention to provide a stamp stamp web to resist its movement along the track as the web is being moved by the machine to the outlet during the vending operation and which will remove this force after the machine releasing the stamp web for movement whenever the machine is actuated by a customer desiring to purchase a stamp.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a stamp vending machine having resilient force applying means and antipilfering stamp web holding means which are so arranged that only one of said means can be in engagement with the stamp web at any particular time to avoid any possible malfunction of the machine, which would result-if inadvertently both devices were moved into engagement with the stamp web at the same time. g

These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification, including the attached drawings and appended claims.

The invention will now be described in connection with the attached drawings in which: 1

track 16 to position the fingers to engage the perforations in the stamp web. I I r Each stamp web engaging finger is biased independently into engagement with the stamp web by a singlestrand of resilient wire 35 extending upwardly therefrom. Each strand of wire is initially straight. but is deflected when the fingers are has completed its vending operation; which machine will further hold the stamp web against any movement on the track during the time that the machine is not vending stamps while,

assembled on supporting arm 32. This slight curvature imposed in the wires, one of which is associated with each finger 26, results in a downward resilient force being exerted on each finger biasing it into engagement with stamp web 14 to insure that the finger will move into any perforation it encounters as it travels along the stamp web.

If at least one of the fingers encounters a perforation, as the finger supporting arm 32 moves clockwise as viewed in FIG. I, the finger will carry the stamp web along with it. When the arm is moving counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. I, each finger will rachet into and out of any perforation it should encounter in the stamp web. Thus, by oscillating arm 32 so that 'the fingers move parallel to the supporting surface of track l6 and in engagement with end portion 14 of the stamp web supportedthereon, the stamp web will be moved relative to the 7 track upon each clockwise swing of the arm.

Arm 32 is pivotally mounted on mounting plate 10 so fingers 26 will move along the arcuate surface of track 16 as arm 32 oscillates.

Adjustable stop means are provided to determine the angle through which arm 32 oscillates, which in turn determines the number of stamps vended per oscillation. Front stop 41 and back stop 42 are provided.- The front stop includes an L- shaped plate having leg 41b removably attached to mounting plate 10. Other leg 410 extends laterally out from the mounting plate in the path of arm 32. Mounted in leg 41a is adjusting screw 43. The screw is held in the desired position by a nut and can be adjusted to change the distance that arm 32 can travel toward the outlet, as required to locate'the web so the provided with a plurality of holes 37 to allow rear stop 42 to be moved to change the length of travel of arm 32 along track 16 to change the length of web, i.e., the number of stamps vended.

The stamp vending machine shown in the drawings is electrically operated, power being supplied to drive the mechanism by electric motor 45. The output shaft of the drawings. Shaft 47 extends from the speed reducer through mounting plate and bushing 40, which acts as a radial bearing for the shaft and rotatably supports arm 32.

Attached to the end of the shaft is double ended crank or cam driver 49. On the outer ends of crank arm 49, are rollers 52 and 53 mounted for rotation relative thereto.

To transmit the rotating motion of crank 49 in a clockwise direction to arm 32, cam 56 is pivotally mounted on arm 32 by stub shaft 57. Coil spring 58 resiliently biases the cam to the position shown in FIG. 1 against pin 36, which in this case functions as a stop to limit the rotation of cam 56. Coil spring 58 is connected between end 56b of the cam and pin 59 attached to the arm. Thus spring 58 will resiliently resist rotation of cam 56 around stub shaft 57 in a counterclockwise direction,

The portion 560 of the cam on the opposite side of stub shaft 57 from end 56b is engaged alternately by rollers 52 and 53 carried by crank 49 as the crank is rotated clockwise by shaft 47. When either of the rollers engages this portion 56a of the, cam, the cam, being resiliently held against counterclockwise rotation on its pivot 57 by spring 58, will move arm 32 clockwise with the crank. The arm will continue rotating with the crank in a clockwise direction until arm 32 strikes front stop4l. Since the arm cannot continue to rotate past this point, crank arm 49 will pivot cam 56 around stub shaft 57, overcoming the force of spring 58, allowing the crank to move out of engagement with the cam. Once the cam is clear of the crank arm, spring 60 which is attached to the arm and to mounting plate 10, will return the arm in a counterclockwise direction back into engagement with rear stop 42.

With this arrangement, crank arm 49 and shaft 47 can rotate through the same angle of rotation each time the motor is energized, yet the distance traveled by arm 32 can be easily adjusted to deliver the number of stamps desired. Switch 91 is engaged by the roller on the opposite end of the crank arm from the one that moved arm 32 and cuts off power to the machine after each oscillation of arm 32. Switch 92 is the "empty" machine switch and cuts off power to the machine when the last stamp passes actuator 92a on the way toward the outlet of the machine.

Knives .are provided for cutting off the vended portion of the stamp web. The knives are closed when the machine is not operating, but are moved to the open position (FIG. 2) and held in the open position, while the stamps to be vended are motor drives shaft 47 through a speed reducer that is mounted on the other side of mounting plate 10 and is not shown in the moved through the opening between the knives. After the stamp strip advancing portion of the operating cycle of the machine is completed, the knives are allowed to close, severing the vended stamps from the stamp web, and also closing the opening from the outlet of the machine to the stamp web. This is the final event of the machine cycle.

Movable knife blade 22 is pivotally attached at one end to stationary blade 17 by pin and pivotally mounted at the other end to place 66 by pin 67. Mounting plate 10 has integrally attached thereto a laterally extending end plate 68, which guides plate 66 as it moves up and down. The upper end of plate 66 is connected to plunger 73 of solenoid 74, which is mounted on the upper left-hand comer of mounting plate 10. Connecting the plate to the solenoid plunger is arm 75, which is connected to the plunger by bolt 76. If desired, mechanical counter 77 can be mounted adjacent the solenoid with its counter arm 78 in engagement with flange a of arm 75 to count the number of cycles of operation of the vending machine.

Coil spring 79 is connected between end plate 68 and moving plate 66 to resist upward movement of plate 66 and to exert a force urging plate 66 downwardly to close the knives. Thus, energizing solenoid 74 will move its plunger upwardly. Plate 66 will be carried upwardly by the plunger and connecting arm 75, pivoting knife blade 22 around pin 65 and opening the knives. The stamp web cannowtbe fed between the knives by arm 32 and fingers 26. When'the solenoid is deenergized at the completion of the cycle, spring 79 will move plate 66 downwardly and knife blade 22 will move past stationary knife blade 17, cutting off the vended portion of the stamp web. The knives will remain in the closed position until the solenoid is reenergized, when the machine begins another vending operation.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention means are provided to exert a resilient force against the stamp web adjacent the outlet end of the track to provide a resilient force resisting the movement of the stamp web on the track, when the machine is moving the stamp web on the track, and to remove this resilient force, when the machine is deactuated. In the embodiment shown, rotating means 80 are supported by mounting plate 10 and extend laterally above the outlet end of track 16 adjacent the cutting knives. The rotating means includes pin or shaft 801:, which is fixed to the mounting plate and sleeve 81, which is rotatably supported by pin 801:. Leaf spring 82 has one end fixed to sleeve 81, while its other end is free and located adjacent the stamp web at the outlet of track 16. The leaf spring is curved, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so that the free end of the spring .will be located above and out of engagement with the stamp web on the track when the sleeve is in the position shown in FIG. 3. By rotating sleeve 81 in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 4, the free end of the leaf spring will be moved into engagement with the stamp web and exert a resilient force on the stamp web holding it firmly against track 16.

Means are provided for moving spring 82 into engagement with the stamp web when the machine is actuated and out of engagement with the stamp web when the machine is deactu ated. In the embodiment shown, a linkage comprising first member 83 and second member 84 connects sleeve 81 to plate 75 of the knife actuating mechanism. First member 83 has one end connected to sleeve 81 and the other end pivotally connected to one end of second link member 84, which has its other end pivotally connected to plate 75. When the solenoid is deactuated, the members are positioned as shown in FIG. 3. When the solenoid is actuated and pulls arm 75 upwardly, link members 83 and 84 rotate sleeve 81 and move spring member 82 into engagement with the stamp web, as shown in FIG. 4. In the preferred embodiment, link member 83 is made of resilient material, which will bend and allow linkage member 84 to continue moving upwardly after spring member 82 has engaged the stamp web on the track. This reduces the distance the free end of spring 82 has to be spaced from the stamp web to accommodate the travel of armature 73 0f the solenoid. After the stamps have been vended and power to the solenoid is cut off, spring 79 will close the knives,

cut off the stamps and pull arm 75 back to the position shown in FIG. 4. Downward movement of arm 75 will rotate sleeve 81 back to the position shown in FIG. 3 through linkage members 83 and 84.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, means are provided for holding the stamp web against movement toward the outlet of the track, when the machine is deactuated, and for releasing such holding means, when the machine is actuated. In the embodiment shown, holding member 86 is provided for this purpose. This member is an elongated, relatively stiff plate having one end fixed to sleeve 81 on pin 80a and the other end positioned for engaging the stamp web, when sleeve 81 is in the position shown in FIG. 3. When member 86 is so positioned, movement of the stamp web toward the outlet will tend to rotate the member and sleeve 81 in a clockwise direction and increase the wedging force exerted by the member on the stamp web holding it against track 16. Thus, the stamp web will be effectively held against movement alongvthe track by this member, when in the position shown in FIG. 3. When the machine is actuated and solenoid 74 has moved plate or arm 75 upwardly,sleeve 81 will be rotated to the-position shown in-FlG. 4 and move the holding memberfrom engagement with the stamp web releasing the web for movement along the track towardthe outlet of the machine. As soon as the machine is deactuated, the holding member will be movedback into holding position and the stamp web can no longer bemoved along the track toward the outlet.

Anyone wanting to remove stamps from the machine without paying for them can put a pry bar through the outlet of the housing of the machine and pry the knives apart. .To prevent the movement of movable knife 22 from moving hold- I 3. The stamp vending machine of claim I in which said web holding means comprises means rotatablymounted across the stamp web adjacent the outlet of the track. a member having one end attached to the shaft,'and .means for rotating the rotatable means in one direction tomove the free end of the member into engagement with'the stamp web to hold it against further movement along the track toward the outlet when the ing member 86-away from the stampweb, plate 75 is connected' to plate 66 in the knife moving linkage through bolt 87 and slot 88(When the machine is deactuated and in the position of FIG. 1, bolt 87 will rest nearthe bottom of slot 88. When the solenoid is energized, it will immediately pick up movable knife plate 22, and also actuate the linkage rotating sleeve 81, asshowri in FIG. 2. If the movableknife 22 is moved upwardly whenthe solenoid is deactuated, however, as by a v pry bar, bolt 87-willamove upwardly in slot 88 and produce no movement of sleeve 81, since no movement of arm 75 will occur. Thus, the stamp web will be heldagainst movement along the track even though theknife blades are pried apart by a person attempting to reach therethrough and steal stamps.

From the foregoing it will be' seen that this invention is one set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus and'structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are .of utility and may be employed with refere'nce'to otherfeatures' and subcornbinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. i As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown'in the accompanying drawings "is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

lclaim: 1. In a stampvending machine having a track for supporting a portion of an elongated web of stamps. the track having an .well adapted-to attain allof the ends-and objects hereinabove machine is deactuated and for rotating the rotatable meansin the other direction to move the freeend of the member out of engagement with the stamp web to permitthe web to movefirst and second members, saidfirst member having one'end rigidly connected to the rotating means and the other end pivotally connected to one end of the second member with the longitudinal axes of the members at an angle; and means for moving the second member longitudinallyin one direction to rotate the rotatable means in one direction when the machine is actuated and for moving the secondmember longitudinally in the other direction to rotate the rotating means in another direction when the machine is deactuated. 5. The stamp vending machine of claim 4 in which the first link is a resilient member that will bend when either holding means or the resilient force exerting member engages the stamp web and stops the rotation of the rotatable member to permit the second member to move a larger distance than the said members that engage the stamp web.- I I 6. The stamp vending machine as'defined in claim 3 in which the rotating means are rotated by a linkage comprising first and second members, said first member having one end inlet end to receive the stamp web and an outlet end'and 1 stamp web between the resilient force exerting means and the web moving means, means located'adjacent the outlet of the track and movable into and out of engagement with the stamp web to hold the stamp web against movement toward the outlet when in engagement therewith, and means for moving the resilient means into engagement with the stamp web and the holding means out of engagement therewith when the stamp machine is actuated and to move the resilient means out of en gagement with the stamp web and the holding means into engagemnt therewith when the machine is deactuated.

2. The stamp vending machine of claim 1 in which said resilient means comprises means rotatably mounted across the stamp web adjacent the outlet of the track, a member of resilient material having one end attached to the rotatable means. and means for rotating said means in one direction to move the free end of the member into engagement with the stamp web and bend the member against the stamp web to exert said resilient force thereon when the machine is actuated and for rotating said means in the other direction to move the free end away from the stamp web when the machine is deactuated.

rigidly connected to the rotating means and the other end pivotally connected to one end of thesecond member with the longitudinal axes of the members at an angle, andmeans for moving the second member, longitudinally in one direction to in the other direction to rotate the rotating means in another direction when themachine is deactuated;

7. ln a stamp vending machine having a-track for supporting a portion of an elongated web of stamps, the track having an inlet end to receive the stamp web and an outlet end; and means for moving the stamp web alongthe track from the inlet to the outlet, the improvement incombin ation therewith of means located adjacent the outlet and movable into and out of engagement with the stamp web to resiliently hold the stamp web against the track when in engagement therewith to provide a frictional force to resist the movement of the stamp web along the track and place in compression the portion of the stamp web between the resilient force exerting means and the web moving means, and means for moving the resilient means into engagement with the stamp web when the stamp machine is actuated and to move the resilient means out of engagement when the machine is deactuated.

Y 8. The stamp vending machine. of claim 7 in which said resilient means comprises a rotatable member extending across the stamp web adjacent the outlet of the track, a member of resilient material having one end attached to the rotating means, and means for rotating said means in one direction to move the free end of the member into engagement with the stamp web and bend the member against the stamp web to exert said resilient force thereon when the machine is actuated and for rotating said means in the other direction to move the free end away from the stamp web when the machine is deactuat ed.

9. In a stamp vending machine having a track for supporting gagement with the stamp web when the stamp machine is actuated and to move the holding means into engagement therewith when the machine is deactuated, said web holding means comprising means rotatably mounted across the stamp web adjacent the outlet of the track, a member having one end attached to the shaft, and means for rotating the rotatable means in one direction to move the free end of the member 

1. In a stamp vending machine having a track for supporting a portion of aN elongated web of stamps, the track having an inlet end to receive the stamp web and an outlet end and means for moving the stamp web along the track from the inlet to the outlet, the improvement in combination therewith of means located adjacent the outlet and movable into and out of engagement with the stamp web to resiliently hold the stamp web against the track when in engagement therewith to provide a frictional force to resist the movement of the stamp web along the track and place in compression the portion of the stamp web between the resilient force exerting means and the web moving means, means located adjacent the outlet of the track and movable into and out of engagement with the stamp web to hold the stamp web against movement toward the outlet when in engagement therewith, and means for moving the resilient means into engagement with the stamp web and the holding means out of engagement therewith when the stamp machine is actuated and to move the resilient means out of engagement with the stamp web and the holding means into engagement therewith when the machine is deactuated.
 2. The stamp vending machine of claim 1 in which said resilient means comprises means rotatably mounted across the stamp web adjacent the outlet of the track, a member of resilient material having one end attached to the rotatable means, and means for rotating said means in one direction to move the free end of the member into engagement with the stamp web and bend the member against the stamp web to exert said resilient force thereon when the machine is actuated and for rotating said means in the other direction to move the free end away from the stamp web when the machine is deactuated.
 3. The stamp vending machine of claim 1 in which said web holding means comprises means rotatably mounted across the stamp web adjacent the outlet of the track, a member having one end attached to the shaft, and means for rotating the rotatable means in one direction to move the free end of the member into engagement with the stamp web to hold it against further movement along the track toward the outlet when the machine is deactuated and for rotating the rotatable means in the other direction to move the free end of the member out of engagement with the stamp web to permit the web to move along the track when the machine is actuated.
 4. The stamp vending machine as defined in claim 2 in which the rotating means are rotated by a linkage comprising first and second members, said first member having one end rigidly connected to the rotating means and the other end pivotally connected to one end of the second member with the longitudinal axes of the members at an angle, and means for moving the second member longitudinally in one direction to rotate the rotatable means in one direction when the machine is actuated and for moving the second member longitudinally in the other direction to rotate the rotating means in another direction when the machine is deactuated.
 5. The stamp vending machine of claim 4 in which the first link is a resilient member that will bend when either holding means or the resilient force exerting member engages the stamp web and stops the rotation of the rotatable member to permit the second member to move a larger distance than the said members that engage the stamp web.
 6. The stamp vending machine as defined in claim 3 in which the rotating means are rotated by a linkage comprising first and second members, said first member having one end rigidly connected to the rotating means and the other end pivotally connected to one end of the second member with the longitudinal axes of the members at an angle, and means for moving the second member longitudinally in one direction to rotate the rotatable means in one direction when the machine is actuated and for moving the second member longitudinally in the other direction to rotate the rotating means in another direction when the machine is deactuated.
 7. In a stamp vending machine having a track for supporting a portion of an elongAted web of stamps, the track having an inlet end to receive the stamp web and an outlet end, and means for moving the stamp web along the track from the inlet to the outlet, the improvement in combination therewith of means located adjacent the outlet and movable into and out of engagement with the stamp web to resiliently hold the stamp web against the track when in engagement therewith to provide a frictional force to resist the movement of the stamp web along the track and place in compression the portion of the stamp web between the resilient force exerting means and the web moving means, and means for moving the resilient means into engagement with the stamp web when the stamp machine is actuated and to move the resilient means out of engagement when the machine is deactuated.
 8. The stamp vending machine of claim 7 in which said resilient means comprises a rotatable member extending across the stamp web adjacent the outlet of the track, a member of resilient material having one end attached to the rotating means, and means for rotating said means in one direction to move the free end of the member into engagement with the stamp web and bend the member against the stamp web to exert said resilient force thereon when the machine is actuated and for rotating said means in the other direction to move the free end away from the stamp web when the machine is deactuated.
 9. In a stamp vending machine having a track for supporting a portion of an elongated web of stamps, the track having an inlet end to receive the stamp web and an outlet end, and means for moving the stamp web along the track from the inlet to the outlet, the improvement in combination therewith of means located adjacent to the stamp web to hold the stamp web against movement toward the outlet when in engagement therewith, and means for moving the holding means out of engagement with the stamp web when the stamp machine is actuated and to move the holding means into engagement therewith when the machine is deactuated, said web holding means comprising means rotatably mounted across the stamp web adjacent the outlet of the track, a member having one end attached to the shaft, and means for rotating the rotatable means in one direction to move the free end of the member into engagement with the stamp web to hold it against further movement along the track toward the outlet when the machine is deactuated and for rotating the rotatable means in the other direction to move the free end of the member out of engagement with the stamp web to permit the web to move along the track when the machine is actuated. 